Industrial operators are facing mounting cybersecurity risks as limited in-house expertise and growing volumes of threat alerts strain their ability to respond effectively, according to findings cited in a recent industry report that names Honeywell among the leading providers of operational technology security services.

The assessment, published by Omdia in its 2025–26 Operational Technology Cybersecurity Services Report, reflects increasing pressure on organizations managing industrial systems such as manufacturing plants, refineries and building control environments. The report draws on a survey of 220 cybersecurity professionals and highlights a widening gap between threat exposure and organizational readiness.

According to the findings, only 36% of respondents consider their internal operational technology security teams to be “very prepared” to handle current risks. Respondents also identified alert fatigue and the challenge of filtering high volumes of security notifications as key operational constraints, raising concerns about the ability to detect early-stage cyber threats.

Omdia ranked Honeywell as a market leader in OT cybersecurity services based on customer evaluations of service quality and likelihood to recommend. The rankings were derived from feedback provided by organizations that have directly engaged with vendors, rather than from theoretical benchmarking.

Honeywell received top-tier scores across multiple performance categories, including managed security services for operational technology, breadth of solutions, strategic direction and innovation, as well as overall market momentum. The company also recorded strong performance in platform capabilities and execution, placing it among the highest-rated providers in the report.

The recognition comes amid growing convergence between information technology and operational technology systems, a shift that has expanded the attack surface for industrial enterprises. Cybersecurity strategies are increasingly required to address both IT and OT environments simultaneously, particularly in sectors where operational disruption can have safety and economic consequences.

Honeywell states that its cybersecurity portfolio is designed to operate across diverse industrial environments without disrupting ongoing operations. Its offerings include asset discovery, network monitoring and intrusion detection systems, alongside artificial intelligence-driven threat analysis and continuous monitoring frameworks.

The company also provides enterprise-level compliance visibility and mechanisms for controlling removable media such as USB devices, which are often identified as potential vectors for cyber intrusion.In addition to technology solutions, Honeywell offers more than 30 professional services tailored to operational technology security.

These include system assessments, penetration testing, network architecture design, remediation planning and workforce training programmes. Such services are intended to address both technical vulnerabilities and organizational preparedness, which analysts say are equally critical in managing cyber risk.

The report underscores the importance of regulatory alignment as cybersecurity requirements evolve across jurisdictions. Organizations operating in industrial sectors are increasingly required to comply with sector-specific regulations, particularly in critical infrastructure domains.

External service providers are often relied upon to interpret and implement these frameworks, especially where internal expertise is limited.Another factor highlighted in the report is the role of partnerships in bridging the gap between IT and OT functions. As industrial systems become more interconnected, cybersecurity responsibilities are no longer confined to isolated teams, requiring coordinated approaches across enterprise structures.

The findings reflect broader trends in the cybersecurity market, where demand for specialized services is rising alongside the complexity of threat landscapes. Industrial environments, traditionally considered isolated from external networks, are now more frequently targeted due to increased connectivity and digitalization.

Omdia’s evaluation suggests that vendors offering integrated solutions and domain-specific expertise are better positioned to meet these challenges. Honeywell’s ranking in the report is attributed to the scale of its service portfolio, its experience in industrial sectors and its ability to deploy solutions globally.

The report does not provide forward projections but indicates that current gaps in preparedness, combined with escalating cyber risks, are likely to sustain demand for managed security services in operational technology environments.